Frame contact lift



5 Sheets-Sheet l n. PN NNN.

Nov. 6, 1956 J. J. PELoUcH FRAME CONTACT LIFT Filed July l0 1953 N0V 5, 1956 J. J. PELoUcH FRAME CONTACT LIFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1953 INVENTOR.

JAMES J. PELOUCH FIG. 5

ATTYS Nov. 6, 1956 J. J. PELoUcH FRAME CONTACT LIFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed .July 10, 1953 ATTYS United States Patent O FRAME CONTACT LIFT James J. Pelouch, Cleveland, Ohio, assig'nor to Farm Tools, Inc.

Application Jury 1o, 1953, ser-iai No. 367,199

6 Claims. (cr. 1:57-8:15)

This invention relates to vehicle lifting hoists of the kinds described in copending application, Serial No. 288,829, liled May 20, 1952, and U. S. Letters Patent 2,581,137.

An important object of the present invention is to improve the usefulness and performance of the foregoing structures by the provision of a variable position extension means by which the vehicle engaging and supporting structure carried by the superstructure can be arranged laterally or longitudinally beyond the normal reach of the superstructure and at various elevations relative thereto to be adaptable to the support of vehicles of all shapes and sizes of underpinning.

Another object is to provide simple and eliicient means whereby the superstructure can be quickly adapted to the construction of the particular vehicle to be serviced, in order to cut the time the vehicle is out of service and to save the customers waiting time, which are important factors in successful service station operations.

A further object is the provision of the vehicle engaging and supporting structures with a variable stepped construction which may be provided with means which are self-conforming to the shape of the underparts of a vehicle for preventing sideways movement of a vehicle supported thereon.

A still further object is the provision of a vehicle engaging and supporting structure provided with outwardly urged projections and a simplified structure for mounting these projections.

Other objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the description and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a top plan of a vehicle hoist arrangement embodying the invention and showing various positions of the vehicle engaging and supporting structure;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section of one end of the vehicle engaging and supporting structure taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top plan of a detachable secondary eX- tension pad viewing the same from line 3 3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section of a part of the secondary extension pad taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3; Y

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section of part of the secondary extension pad taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is an enlarged top plan of the primary extension pad; and

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the same.

Referring now particularly to the drawing, wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown for the purposes of illustration and not for limitation, a lifting structure here shown as a single air-hydraulic lift post 10. is mounted in a garage oor to be moved vertically thereof in the usual manner to raise and lower a vehicle Patented Nov. 6, 1956 for repairs, greasing and/or lubrication, as is well understood. A superstructure or platform 11 is rigidly connected to the upper end of this post 1l) and is composed of a horizontal saddle plate rigidly mounted on the upper end of the post, and the ends of this saddle plate are rigidly connected with the medial portions of a pair of horizontal elongated side rails 13 arranged in special parallel relation to one another. The saddle and rails form an H-shaped platform or superstructure as set forth in copending application Serial No. 288,829, and the rails are considerably shorter than the usual wheel supporting side rails of former hoists or lifts, in order that vehicle engaging and supporting structures will, in most cases, engage and support the vehicle from parts other than the Wheels or axles, and such as the vehicle frame and chassis parts, so that the wheels hang unsupported for more convenient lubrication and repairs. However, it is not intended to restrict the use of the device to the engagement of such vehicle parts, as it is capable of extension to engage any parts of the vehicle which may be desired. In order to accurately position a Vehicle upon the hoist in a position where the vehicle engaging parts of the hoist are approximately beneath the parts to be engaged and supported, the floor of the garage is provided with a series of markers or vertical parallel raised ribs 14 arranged transversely in the wheel tracking of a vehicle driven toward the lowered superstructure for elevation of the vehicle. The individual members 14 of each series may be spaced such calculated distances apart so as to indicate where various makes and models are to be stopped to dispose their underpinnings in the approximate positions to be engaged by the parts ofthe vehicle engaging and supporting structure when the superstructure is elevated by raising the post 1). The post forms part of the lifting structure; and the side rails constitute'the superstructure.

On the longitudinal center line of each side rail and atV each end thereof, or at each corner of the superstructure, is pivoted a variable extension vehicle engaging and supporting structure in the form of a circular primary pad or platform structure 15, which is adjustable horizontally in an arcuate pathV through approximately 347 degrees, preferably coming to stop against a stop pin 16 of the rail in either direction of its movement to stop the pad in either position shown in dotted or in full lines in the upper right hand corner of Figure 1. These pads 14 may be swung either clockwise or counterclockwise to be disposed in any position between these two extremesV to engage with the underparts of any vehicle, as shown at the left hand ends of the side rails 13 in Figure 1.

Each of these primary extension pads 15, as best shown in Figures 2, 6 and 7, is preferably composed of a casing having an integral lateral extension 17, which is thickened at its outer end and is provided with a vertical bolt opening 18 for the reception of a bolt 19. This bolt has a head disposed in a countersunk recess in the top of the extension. The vlower end of the bolt is threaded into an opening 21 near the end of the side rail 13 and is disposed in a countersunk recess 22 in which a lock washer 23 is disposed on the bolt with a nut 24 holding it in place within the recess as shown. To assemble each pad on its respective side rail, a bolt 19 is dropped through the aperture 18 and threaded through the rail until tight, then is backed olf a partial turn to allow the pad freedom of swinging movement, after which the lock washer and nut are placed on the bolt.

The lower face of each pad 15 and extension 17 are parallel withathe upper surface of its respective side rail so as tohave a firm bearing contact thereon in any of its angular adjusted positions with respect to the rail.

` Y Y Y Vaffermo? Each pad is provided with a series of circumferentially arranged, equally spaced and radially enlarged vertical Vbearings 25. Each bearing slidably mounts a pin or Vprojection 26, The projectionsr'or pins 26 may be projected above the top surface ofthe pad IS-byanyI suitable means whichwill permit them to be forced inwardly ofthe pad by a vehicle part resting upon the Y same-whereby the vehicle part' will -be supported upon the pad, and those pins which` are not engaged by a vehicle part will be left projected to extend between andalongside of other vehicle underparts to prevent acci- Vdental movement of the vehicle Vrelative to the superstructure. In this instanceLeach pin-26 is provided with Y an enlarged inner end sliding in the bearing 25 to limit outward projection of the pin caused by a coiled spring "27 placed in the bearing for urging the pin upward. AV

removable closure member 28 closes the lower'end of the bearing and supports the spring therein.

Each pad 15 is provided with a-depending circular skirt or flange integrally merged into the bearings 25', and the lower edge'36 of the skirt is adapted to ride upon the top surface of its respective side rail 13. This skirt may continue around projection 17 and is provided with avertical slot 36 extending from its lower edge near'the projection to permit passage of the stop pinV 16 in order to in-` crease the swinging movement of Vthe-pad to 347 degrees t and enable the pad 15 to swingrfurth'er Vinwardly and laterally of the side rail to be disposed more nearly at righ-t angles thereto. Each pad 415, at a point diametrically opr-VV posite the projection 17 is provided with an internal socket plate 48 may be locked at right angular positions about Ythe axis of the shaft 45, and-at different elevations by extending a locking pin 53 through the openings 44 in the bearing and any one of theopenings 51 or 52rwhich are brought into registration therewith. In order that the pin 5,3 will always be handyrifor use, it is connected by a Y y chain 54 to the bar 39 or bearing 30. Since the secondaryk Ypad plate 48 is secured olf-center or eccentrically Vto the upper end of the shaft 45,7and'ther1atter is rotatablyV mounted in the bearing 30,v this secondary pad can be rotated with the shaf-t'45 through 360 degrees to be arranged in longitudinal'alignment with the primary pad 15, to overlap the same, or to be extended laterally or longitudinally beyond the same to be adaptable to whatever arrangement of underparts of'a vehicle as may be encouni tered.

37v extending diametrically toward the projection 17.V The Y outerV end ofrrthis socket is provided with a horizontal `wall portion 38, which in eiect forms a fulcrum point for aV supportingbar 39'of a detachable secondary'vehicle engaging and supporting pad .or platform Ystructure 40. The' innermost end of the bar 39 is provided with a hook forma- Vtion 41 Vadapted to interlock with a dependingY latch lug 42 formed integrallyon the interior of the primaryY pad V15 to extend into the socket 37V as best seen in Figure 2.

This secondary pad or vehicle engaging and supporting structure is adapted to be used in conjunction with one or more of the primary pads 15'to afford Vadditional lengthwise reach and/or elevation Vtor the pads 15 tov adapt the' The secondary vehicle engaging and supporting ypads or platforms 46 are each provided with a series`of pins or projections which are normally projected above the j upper surface of the pad as best seen in Figures 2, 3 an'df4` Ato engage with and be disposed alongside of the ,under-,j parts of a vehicle to prevent it from moving or sliding Vrelative to the lift'. This series of projections is arrangedin a circle near the outer edge of the pad and are spaced apart Y equidistantly and are slidable in openings 56 extending vertically through the plate 48. Upward projection of eachV pin is limited by providing the pinV Vwith ashoulderv 57 adapted to engage withlthe'underside of the plate 48; The Y projection and shoulder are normally held projectedV upr-L wardlyto the'extent of'theirmovement by Va pair of coiled Thus, a pair of coil springs 58 normally urges each pro-- jection 55 upwardly to extend above'the'top surface of the pad platev 48V and is limitedl in its upwardl movement bythe i. shoulder-57 engaging the underside kof thisplate. When f f the Vvehicle underparts rest upon any one or more 'of the 'vehicle engaging and supporting structure'to makesV and;

models Vof-vehicles having underparts which would not be properly engaged and supported by the primary pads'IS. ,Y

t In some cases, both primary and secondary'pads can be' employed conjointly,tosimultaneous1y engage and sup-VV port the underparts of a vehicle, and when the added'longi- Vtudinal extension and/orV elevation is not necessary VasV aiordedby the secondary pads, they may be disconnected from the prim-ary padsV and stored untilV their use becomes necessary. This secondaryrpad structure ismounted upon the free end ofthe bar 39 by providing a vertical bearing or sleeve 30 having a reducedrend 31 extending through an openingrin the outer end! of the bar 39 and welded as 'at 43 thereto; This bearingr30'has its upper end disposed a substantial Vdistance 'above the top surface of `its primaryV pad 15 to give requisite elevation toV the secondary padV 40. The bearing 30 is also provided with a pair Vof diametricallyl disposed apertures 44 for a purpose which Will presently appear. Vertically adjustable in this bearingt30` is'an elongated vertical shaft or stud 45 having a reduced upper end 46 for passage through an `opening 47 arranged eccentrically in a circular padfplate 48'. This reduced upper end ofthe shaft 46 Vis welded securelyv to the edges projections 55, `they are depressed against the tension f ofthe coil springs V58 which hold the projections firmly*Y against'such parts of the vehicle.' Thosej projectionsv 55 not depressed by vehicle partsresting thereon remainin" d their outwardly projected positionsltobe arranged between Y and' alongside of other vehicle parts to prevent accidental Y shifting movement of the vehicle on the lift. Y

From the*foregoing'description, it will be observedrthat the primary and secondaryrpads mayY be employed sepa-V rately or conjointly to Vengage-and Vsupport the vehicle at the ends'of the tworside rails; the secondary pads 40 b'eing utilized when it is desired to extendthe eiective lengthfl Y or width of the siderails or whenever 'it is desirable to sup- Y port the vehicle uponrthe superstructure at various ele-Y vations or to fit against andv support underparts of a vehicle which do Ynot extend fdown farenough'to be engaged or supported by the'priniary vehicle engaging and supporting pads I5. VIt will also be apparent'thattthe secondary padsV 40 may be adjusted to various elevations above'the '1 primary pads by inserting the locking pin 53 through of the openng'of the pad plate 48 as indicated at 49 and 56, When the pad platel 48 is in its lowermost position, its undersurface engages the lupper end ofthe bearing 30 as shown in Figure 2. In order that the secondary ,pad

platej40 can be locked at various elevations above the primary pad-15, the shaft or stud 45 is provided .with a series of vertically spaced transverse openings 51. Alternate openings 52 Vextend through the shaft 45- at Vright angles-to the openings 51 in order that the secondary pad registered openings. in the shaft and bearing 30, and that J when this locking pin is removedgthe secondaryfpads'40 Y may be swung about the axes of theV bearings S''to overlap the primary pads, or be extended laterally and/ or longitudinally therebeyond'. The primary pads 15l may also'be swung about their pivots 1`9-toV be disposed laterally and longitudinally beyond the side rails 13 ofthe superstructure.f Thus, when the Vtwopads or platforms at each corner of the superstructureY areV used ,conjointl'y, the-vehicle engaging and supporting structures embody two supporting surfaces arranged' at dierent elevations and these lcan be individually swung about their individual axes 4to-,provide the vehicle engaging and supporting structure with supporting surfaces which have substantially universal movements to adapt them to any arrangement or shape of vehicle underparts which may be encountered in practice. Whenever a vehicle is encountered which does not require the extra elevation or extension provided by the secondary pads 46, they may be disconnected from the primary pads by simply tilting the bars 39 on the fulcrum portions 38 to unhook the portions 41 and 42 after which the bar and secondary pad can be readily slid out of the primary pad and stored for subsequent use.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes in size, construction and relationship of parts may be varied Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle hoist having lifting means, a superstructure carried by said lifting means, and variable extension means carried by said superstructure and including a primary vehicle engaging and supporting pad connected on a vertical axis at one end portion thereof to said superstructure, and a secondary vehicle engaging and supporting structure connected on a pivot shaft to said primary pad at another end portion thereof and having a horizontal vehicle engaging and supporting pad mounted at one end on said pivot shaft and extendable beyond said primary vehicle engaging and suppol g pad, and means including said pivot shaft for varying the vertical distance between said primary and secondary vehicle engaging and supporting structures, and for adjustably securing the second pad in different angular positions.

2. A vehicle hoist having lifting means, variable position extension means carried thereby and comprising a primary vehicle supporting structure pivotally movable about a vertical axis on said lifting means for movement of the free end of said primary vehicle supporting structure in a horizontal plane beyond an end and the sides of said lifting means, a secondary vehicle supporting structure mounted near the free end of said primary vehicle supporting structure on a vertical pivot for movement with said primary vehicle supporting structure and independently in a horizontal plane to positions overhanging said primary vehicle supporting structure and to positions beyond the sides and end thereof to vary the longitudinal reach of said primary vehicle lifting structure, and means including said vertical pivot to vary the elevation of said secondary structure, and a plurality of projections spring projected vertically from said primary and secondary vehicle lifting structures.

3. A vehicle hoist having lifting means with a vehicle engagement structure carried thereby, a plurality of variable extension means carried by said structure to engage and support a vehicle, each of said extension means including rst and `second vehicle supporting platform structures, said iirst vehicle supporting platform structure including a primary pad movable about a first axis on said vehicle engaging structure for extension beyond an end and the sides of the latter and including a socket extending longitudinally thereof, said second platform structure including a bar positionable in said socket, said bar having a vertical bearing, said second platform structure further including a shaft mounted in said vertical bearing for oscillation therein, and a secondary pad carried by said shaft and disposed eccentrically thereof for extension beyond the end and sides of said first platform structure upon turning of said shaft.

4. A vehicle hoist having lifting means with a vehicle superstructure carried thereby, variable extension means carried by said superstructure to support a vehicle, said variable extension means including first and second Vehicle supporting platform structures, said first vehicle supporting platform structure including a primary pad movable about a rst axis on said superstructure for extension beyond the limits of the latter and including a socket therein, said second platform structure including a bar positionable in said socket, said bar having a vertical bearing member, said second platform structure further including a shaft mounted in said bearing member for turning movement therein, and a secondary pad carried by said shaft for extension beyond the limits of the primary pad upon turning movement of said shaft.

5. A vehicle hoist having lifting means With a vehicle superstructure carried thereby, variable extension means carried by said superstructure to support a vehicle, said `Jariable extension means including rst and second vehicle supporting platform structures, said rst vehicle supporting platform structure including a primary pad movable about a first axis on said superstructure for extension beyond the limits of the latter and including a socket therein, said second platform structure including a bar positionable in said socket, said bar having a vertical bearing member, said second platform structure further including a shaft mounted in said bearing member for turning movement therein, a secondary pad carried by said shaft for extension beyond the limits of the primary pad upon turning movement of said shaft, and means including said bearing member and said shaft for adjusting the vertical distance between said primary and said secondary pad.

6, A vehicle hoist having lifting means, a superstructure carried by said lifting means, and variable extension means carried by said superstructure and including a primary vehicle engaging and supporting structure, a rst pivot shaft connecting said primary vehicle engaging and supporting structure to said superstructure, a secondary vehicle engaging and supporting structure including a vertical bearing element carried by said primary vehicle engaging and supporting structure, a vertical shaft element mounted in said bearing element and adjustable verticallyV thereof, one of said elements having transverse openings at various radial angles and elevations to register with an opening in said other element, means adapted to enter said registering openings to lock said shaft at various elevations and at various radial angles relative to said bearing element.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 895,834 Aungst Aug. 11, 1908 978,026 Jaenichen Dec. 6, 1910 1,105,438 Illenberger July 28, 1914 2,229,113 Mizer Jan. 2l, 1941 2,458,986 Frey Ian. 11, 1949 2,552,974 Johnson May 15, 1951 2,581,137 Pelouch Jan. 1, 1952 2,593,635 Walker Apr. 22, 1952 2,612,355 Thompson Sept. 30, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS s 497,847 Belgium Dec. 16,V 1950 

